Dan Carlin is the host of the podcast Hardcore History. a) Don't be afraid to do something that you are not qualified to do Unless you are looking at legal or medical work, there are very few things that require an actual qualification to do. This suggestion makes sense because life is too short to seek permission to do something. It is often the only way to get promoted sensible manner. Most companies do not promote a person so that he can start doing work of a higher grade, this almost leads to everyone being promoted into incompetence (Peter Principle). It is more likely that you will need to find ways to start doing work of a higher grade before you are considered fit to be promoted. Ambitious folks are better off seeking forgiveness rather than permission. But please don't do this in the civil service. b) Copyright your faults ......